herbacidal

Everything said thus far I assume to be correct, especially since my BYOB dining is far less than it used to be. I do agree with the idea of trying for either Marigold or Rx, because even if they fall through, you still have Ethiopian places (Dahlak, Goijo(?), Le Dakar) and Vientiane down a few block on Baltimore Ave. In general the Ethiopian places aren't as spiffed up decor-wise as places like Marigold or Rx. I understand Abysinia at 45th and Locust is the nicest looking of the Ethiopian places, but I've never been. Then, to extend the area farther, there's probably space at the Walnut Hill College/ Restaurant School's dining rooms @ 42nd and Walnut, although you should check if they serve on Friday.

Cheesesteaks are better with the 'whiz. I don't think any of the "known" roast pork joints are open on Sunday. Tony Luke's, Dinic's, John's are all closed. Anyone know of an exception? I've been to a few random joints in South Philly that do have good roast pork sammies, but I doubt that any South Philly sammie joint is open on Sunday. The new place, Vinny Amato's (?) on South around 4th (?) is probably your best bet. I'm pretty sure they have roast pork, and they are likely to be open because they're on South.

Did you call Sarcone's Bakery or Deli? They're separated by a few hundred feet, with the deli at the corner of 9th and Fitzwater. I prefer their rolls plain, but others very much enjoy the deli's hoagies. Parking on Sunday in Chinatown? Good luck. Small streets won't help you at all. I'm a Chinatown regular of 28 years, and the only way we make it now is because we have access to other private spaces. That said, you can park in the school yard of Holy Redeemer, the school at 10th and Vine until evening or so. To get there, take 676 East to 8th Street exit. At the bottom, go straight ahead to 7th St. Left on 7th to 2nd light @ Callowhill. Take Callowhill past 8th. Turn left when you see the sign for 95 and Vine Street above you. Turn right onto that first street when and into that schoolyard filled with cars. 95 exits onto Callowhill. Then follow above directions.

Actually, I'm a hard roll/crusty bread kinda guy too. Since you are, next time you're in town, you need to swing by Sarcone's Bakery at 9th and Fitzwater for their rolls.

Yea, it's kinda like, we've been dealing with the failings and bad parts of the PLCB system for the longest time. Now, we get to reap the benefits of the consequences. What's wrong with the bread? I love the flowerpots. Have the taste or texture changed? It's been a while, so I don't remember it that well but I remember enjoying the bread.

I agree. Chickens taste like chickens in China. Here in the US, many chickens don't taste like chickens.

In the Philadelphia Inquirer , Craig Laban gives a thumbs even to Bistro 7 as he notes the higher standard for BYOBs given the blessing we have with a plethora of local eateries that have gone that route. Rick Nichols notes how the independent bagelmakers have continued to survive amidst the expansions and closings of bagel chains galore. Robert Strauss talks with Ralph Fernandez, executive chef of the Moshulu , who wants us to sail away, with flights of food fancy as the gigantic wooden behemoth prepares for a (hopefully) momentous summer. In the Philadelphia Weekly , Lauren McCutcheon looks into the latest taqueria to open in our City of Brotherly Love as Taco Riendo gets some tongue-smacking approval. Kirsten Henri talks with Eileen Plato she plans a swan song for Judy’s Café by throwing a benefit party for MANNA. In the City Paper (Philadelphia), Maxine Keyser pops into the King of Prussia Mall and does a little California scheming at California Café. Tami Fertig checks into the some of the new happenings at this year’s Italian Market Festival. In the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review , Jolie Williamson traverses the northern suburbs and finds a gem in SiBA Cuisine for more discriminating North Hills diners, while Kim Lyons explores the different choices brides and grooms have made with toppers for their wedding cake. In the Pittsburgh Post Gazette , Suzanne Martinson explores the highlight of the PLCB’s efforts in western Pennsylvania as the Pittsburgh Wine Festival showcases some outstanding wines from more than 150 wineries. In the Morning Call (Allentown), Sylvia Lawler pinch hits for Susan Gottschall as she finds the Willow Street Pub dominated by its horseshoe-shaped bar, yet serving surprisingly tasty nibbles despite its bar setting.

Volvic's big in NY? I didn't know. I first saw it in HK.

Well, I'm guessing that it's not happening tonight at 7pm. Anyone for Saturday tomorrow at 1 or so?

I don't return the favor myself, in terms of having a party and inviting people over. I often will bring wine or something else, and often try to help clean up and/or prepare things.

NY Times had a great article on some Bronx places. Read below. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/18/dining/1...ml?pagewanted=2

Friday night/Saturday afternoon sounds fine for me. Both times sound like you'd be busy, so you pick a day and time, and we'll see who else can make it.

Agreed with everything, especially about La Baia and its good food / lack of "innovative" cuisine. Lemme third Melograno. Never been to Southwark or Melograno though, but I've heard too many good things without hearing bad things to not recommend them. I'll also agree that most places you may want to go are not likely to need reservations, the exceptions being Django and Matyson, one of which you already have a reservation.

Well, fruit and veggies she won't be permitted to bring back. Or she can try... IMHO, this situation really depends on your sister knowing you well and then picking appropriate things based on what she sees available around her. I've always thought it's hard to be able to make a list/predict this kind of stuff beforehand.

I'm not saying I couldn't. I just wouldn't want to deal with the cardial consequences and gastrointestinal repercussions inherent for the week following. So James, you wanna go halfsies on that? Half a pie and half a cheesesteak each? We're roughly the same age. Plenty of time to recover. At this point, I'm just looking to try and get another group together to check in on Lombardi's since they extended the closing to May 22.

well, you start by wrapping it around a cheesesteak from jim's... ← Dude, that's evil. Evil, heart-stopping scary delicious. Jeez, think about it. Neither regular dieters nor Atkins dieters can eat that.

In the Philadelphia Inquirer , Craig Laban looks into Tierra Colombiana neighbor Isla Verde as El Centre de Oro gets another sleek dining spot. Rick Nichols laments the slow disappearance of the blue-plate special as diners slowly mark them extinct. Joseph A. Slobodzian explores our favorite local food emporium as it expands to a nearby locale, DiBruno Brothers. In the Philadelphia Weekly , Lauren McCutcheon checks into the gold standard for local brassieres as Caribou Café gets the once-over, while Kirsten Henri stumbles upon the Rittenhouse area’s newest bakery as Buttercup Bakery & Café gets poked and prodded. In the City Paper (Philadelphia), A.D. Amorosi also pokes around the area’s new altar to fine foods as DiBruno Brothers debuts their newest location, while Juliet Fletcher looks into the growth of vegetarianism as she talks with the author of Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. In the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review , Karin Welzel pokes around a café as diverse as its name as the Gypsy Café continues to introduce the ‘burgh to new ingredients in traditional dishes. In the Pittsburgh Post Gazette , Suzanne Martinson waxes poetic as she recalls days of yesteryear while looking at the semi-homemade cooking of today. In the Patriot-News (Central PA---Harrisburg,York) Mimi Brodeur searches high and low until she finds Gingerbread Café Cinnamon while a Patriot staffer journeys to Hummelstown to check out the allure of pasta on pizza at Palermo’s Pizza. In the Morning Call (Allentown), Susan Gottschall finds a one-story Ragona’s Lighthouse in the middle of an Allentown strip mall.

Ooh, thanks for the correction. Yea, Capaneus said something about a wine list, didn't he?

Might you mean the northwest corner? That would explain the takeover and renovations of what used to be Hot Tamales.

At the least, stop by Sansom Street Oyster House for some oysters. As far as BYOBs, Lula (mentioned in another thread on PA board) would be one possibility, 2 blocks east. Go another block east of Lula and a few stores south on 11th and there you have La Boheme, a little French BYOB. If you prefer other parts of the Mediterranean, go 2 blocks south from the Doubletree to Pine St. Turn left and half a block east is Valentino, a fine little Italian joint. Go another block and a half east and you have Effie's, my perennial favorite for Greek, especially if you get a table in the back courtyard. If you prefer to go west, there's a host of Italian BYOBs (La Baia, Bronzino, La Viola, Bellini).

I suspect that BST would be significantly closer than Nan. But I think as far as location convenience, the closest other than World Cafe itself would probably be Ecco Qui, at 32nd and Chestnut. Haven't heard enough to say anything good or bad about it. It's Italian, and owned (I think) by the same guy who owns the Allegro pizza chain. Other than those, what about someplace in 30th St. station? There's a Delilah's (BBQ) and a few other places, including a bar named Bridgewater's. And there's also the trucks across Market in front of the Post Office, if it's nice weather and you can find a place inside the 30th St. food court.

I was wondering about nai wong, but I was assuming it's not available baked. But I guess just because I haven't seen it...

You mean Pineapple Buns? I have several recipes but have never tried baking them... ← Hmm, I don't she means pineapple buns. I'm thinking she means gai mei bao (Cantonese). But I have no clue how to make them.

I haven't been to Little Fish in years, but I've heard nothing but good things about it in the interim. But I don't hear a lot about it, because it's been there for a while, and it's so small that only so many people can fit in there.

Both are excellent recommendations. If the Wilmington Moore Bros store is more convenient, as I expect, stop in there. I'm sure if they need to, they can teleconference in Jonathan.